Wagon-tongue.



. H. C. ZIMMER.

WAGON TONGUE.

APPLICATION FILED o cT. 3. I9I4.

Patented July 13, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

. .1. 1 f n.1.. III l H. c. ZIMMER. WAGON TONGUE.

1,146,227. APPLlcATlon man ocT.s, 1914. Patented July 13, 1915' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

w Y l A a x' Q m l Q Q s (Unna-niez- H5721??? H. C. ZIMMER.

WAGON ToNGuE.

1,146,2270 APPLICATION FILED ocT. 3. I9I4. Patented July 13, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- tongue which is narran entras ramena onirica. l

HENRY C. ZIMMR, OF PECOS, TEXAS, 'ASSIGNQR 0F ONE-HALF TO ARTHUR/LEE LIGON,

"OF PECOS,

WAGON-TONGUE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1915.

Application filed October 3, 1914. Serial No. 864,826.

T0 all 107mm t may concern Be it known thatl, HENRY C. ZIMMER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pecos, in the county of Reeves and State of Texas, have inventedjcertain new and useful lmprovements in Wragon- Tongues, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to wagon tongues and has special reference to detachable tongues which are so formed as to be'easily and efficiently secured to different sized hounds without regard to any particular construction of wagon hounds to which ythe same-are secured.

The principal object of this invention is the production of an l adjustable wagon provided with a plurality slides and a cog therefor, whereby upon the adjustment of the cogs the slides may be moved for vincreasing or diminishing the size of the adjusting portions of the tongue thereby allowing .the tongue to be easily secured to different sized hounds.

Another object of this invention is the production of a wagon tongue having adjustable portions whereby the simple rotation of the cog will increasel or diminish the size of the adjustable portions as the circumstances require at which time the adjustable portions may betightened so as to be held in an adjusted set position for engaging the wagon hounds, thereby allowing the tongue to be efficiently and easily secured in position.

lVith these andother objects in view this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of arts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed. j

ln the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts of the several views wherein z-Figure 1 is a top plan view of the wagon tongue constructed in accordance with this invention, Vportions of the device being broken away. Fig. 52 is an assembled view of the wagon tongue showing the same in side elevation; the pole thereof being broken away. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section through the adjusting portions of the wagon tongue. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the supporting of adjusting top plan view of the adjusting portions of the wagon tongue showing the manner in whichthe slides are engaged by the adjusting cog. Fig. 11 isa detailed perspective View vof one of the adjustable plates. Fig. 12 is-a detailed perspective view of a certain retaining link used in connection with this invention. 13 is adetailed perspective viewv of one lof the adjusting Slides. Fig. 14 is a detailed perspective view ofthe other adjusting slide. Fig. 15 is a detailed perspective viewof the adjusting cog. Fig. 16 is a fragment-ary sectional view through a corner of the supporting frame illustrating the manner in which the adjustable plates are slidably carried thereon. Fig. 17 is a transverse section through one of the adjusting plates.

Referring by numerals 1 designates the longitudinally extending angle bars which carry the transversely extending strip?. adjacent their rear end and 'the transversely extending strip 3 adjacent their central portion, these strips 2 and 3 being held in fixed engagement with the angle bars and 5. These transversely extending strips 2 and 3 carry at their outer ends the` converging side angle bars 6. These -bars are held upon'the ends lof the strips 2 and 3 by means of the retaining rivets 7. The strip Q is also provided with angularly eX- tending lips 8)v which are secured to the rear end portions of the converging side bars 6 by means of the rivets 9. The forward end of theseV side angle bars 6 is odset inwardly as shown at 10 and extend .to have their forward ends secured to the longitudinally eX- tending angle bars 1 by means 'of the rivets 11. ln forming the frame in this manner it will be seen that the several portions efficiently reinforce each other and are held in engagement with each other by means of the rivets thereby forming a substantially to the accompanying drawings 1 by'means of the rivets t one-piece structure to which the pole andy adjusting members are adapted to be detachably secured.

The pole 12 tapers as usual toward its forward end and has its rear end which is considerably larger than its forward end positioned between the longitudinally extending angle bars 1. 1n order to retain the pole in engagement with the supporting frame the bolts 13 pass through the forward ends of the longitudinally extending angle bars 1 while the bolts 14 extend through the rear end of the pole 12 and also through the opening 15 formed in the transverse strip 2. The bolt 16 also passes through the pole 12 and through the apertures 17 formed in the transverse strip 3. The upper end of this bolt 16 is provided with the sleeve 13 for purposes hereinafter to be set forth.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the pole will be firmly held in engagement with the supporting` frame so as to provide a rigid structure whereby the frame may be attached to the hound of the wagon so as to allow the pole to easily draw the wagon in any desired direction. In order to provide this frame with means for allowing the same to be easily adjusted according to the circumstances to lit different sized hounds, there is provided a simple and eliicient means which may be adjusted and then held in a set position so as to form a rigid structure. This adjusting means comprises a pair of adjustable plates 19 and 20 which have integral lugs 21 extending therefrom adjacent their ends in which are formed longitudinal .slots 22. rFliese plates 19 and 2O are formed of an angle bar so as to constitute an l -shaped structure in crosssection whereby the plates may easily fit over the converging side angle bars 6 as is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 7. The ends of the transverse strips 2 and 3 are provided with squared apertures 23 which register with the apertures 24 formed in the converging side bars 6. Retaining bolts 25 are passed through the apertures 23 and 24 and also through the slots 22 formed in the adjustable plates 19 and 20. lt will be seen that by the operation of the adjusting members these plates may be moved outwardly or inwardly when the nuts 26 are loosened and then upon the tightening of these nuts 2G the plates will be firmly held in an adjusted set position to accommodate different sized hounds. The supporting plate 27 spans the distance between the longitudinally extending angle bars 1 and is iixedly secured in position thereon by means of the rivets 23 which pass through the angle bars 1 and the plate 27. rThe adjustable plates 19 and 20 are also provided with the integral posts 29 which posts pass through the openings 30 formed in the outer ends of the adjusting slides 31 and 32. These posts 29 are provided with transverse openings 33 through which the pins 34 are passed for retaining the adjusting slides 31 and 32 in engagement therewith and therefore upon the moving of these slides 31 and 32 the plates 19 and 2O will be adjusted to suit the circumstances. The angle bars 1 are also provided with squared apertures 35 registering with the apertures 36 formed in the plate 27 and through these apertures 35 and 36 there extend. the retaining bolts 37. The adjusting slides 31 and 32 are also provided with longitudinally extending slots 38 and 39 which are positioned so as to allow the slots 38 to register as well as the slots 39. Since the outer end 40 of the adjusting slide 32 is offset and positioned ben low the plane in which the slide 32 extends, the slide 32 is allowed to overlap and rest upon the upper surface of the adjusting slide 31 as is clearly shown in lil 5.

It will be seen that after the slides 31 and 32 have been moved to adjust the plates 19 and 20 the nuts 41 may be tightened upon the bolts 37 so as to bind the washers 42 upon the outer surface of the adjusting slide 32 and in this manner positively retain thc slides in an adjusted set position for assisting in holding the-plates 19 and 2O in a set position. The adjusting slide 31 is provided with an enlarged longitudinally extending opening 43 while the adjusting slide 32 is provided with a similar opening 44. Each slide is provided with teeth 45 and 46 but it is to be noted that the teeth 45 of the adjusting slide 31 are formed upon the opposite side of the opening 43 to the teeth 46 extending in the opening 44 of the adjusting slide 32. When these slides are in position, however, it will be noted that the openings 43 and 44 will register so that the teeth 45 and 46 will extend inwardly toward the central portion of the openings. The plate 27 is provided with an opening 47 in which is journaled the bearing end 48 of the cog or gear wheel 49. This cog or gear wheel is positioned within the openings 43 and 44 so as to allow the teeth thereof to engage the teeth 45 and 46 of the adjusting slides 31 and 32. It will be seen that upon the rotation of this cog wheel 49 the teeth thereof will engage the teeth 45 and 46 of the adjusting slides thereby moving the slides to an extended position or moving the slides to a closed position, owing to the direction in which the cog wheel is rotated and thus the adjustable plates 19 and 2O will be quickly and efficiently adjusted to meet the circumstances. F or the purpose of retaining these slides in engagement with the cog wheel 49 there is provided a link 50 having a U- shaped pocket portion 51 which lits over the cog wheel 49 and adjusting slides 31 and 32. This pocket portion 51 is provided with a round aperture 52 through which extends lil Vfor retaining matiza? the rounded portion 53 of the cog 49. It is to be noted, however, that this rounded portion 53 terminates in a squared outer end 54 which is adapted vto .be engaged by a wrench or any other suitableinstrument for the purpose of rotating the cog 49 and adjustingthe slides 31 and 32. The plate 27 is also provided with alined apertures 55 which register with the openings 56 vformed in the link 50. IThrough these apertures 55 and openings 56 thereeXtend the boltsf57 the link in engagement with the plate '27 thereby positively holding the adjusting slides 31 and 32 upon the plate`27 and in engagement with the cog or gear wheel 49. A

The bolt l16 which passes upwardly through the pole 12 carries the'sleeve 18 adjacent its upper end and is adapted to have the sleeve 18 pass through the strip 3 and also through the rear end .of the bar 58.

This sleeve 18 also passes through theopenf.

ings 59 formed in the oilset forward end 60 of the link 50. This offset forward end 60 is adapted to overlap the rear end of the bar 58 as clearly shown in Fig. 3 while the upper end of the bolt 16 carries the nut 61 thereby holding the bar 58 and forward end of the link 50 in engagement with the sleeve 18 and preventing the bolt 'from dropping from engagement with the sleeve and pole. The forward end of the bar 58 is adapted to carry the wrench or king pin 62 which passes downwardly through the opening 63 formed in the reinforcing plate 64 carried by the angle bars 1. This wrench 62 also passes downwardly through the pole 12 as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. `The converging side angle bars 6 carry upon their under portions the brackets 65 which are positioned in alinement with the openings 66 formed in the pole 12. The converging side angle bars 6 and the adjustable plates 19 and 20 are also provided with registering openings 67 which also register with the openings formed in the brackets 65 and the openings 66 formed in the pole 12 and through these openings and brackets there extends the queen pin 68 having a nut 69. It will be noted that this queen pin 68 is used for att-aching the tongue to the wagon hound.

l/Vhen this device is in use it will normally assume the position disclosed in Fig. 1. If it is hound of a particular size, the nuts upon the bolts 57 are loosened as well as the nuts 26 ot the bolts 25. The nuts 41 are also loosened and then it will be seen that the adjustable elements may be easily removed. The wrench or other suitable instrument may grip the squared end 54 of the cog or gear wheel and then the gear wheel may be rotated in either direction. The gear wheel by engaging the teeth 45 and 46 of the addesired to attach the same to a l"the removalof any of the bolts or parts.

f From theioregoing description it will be seen that a simple adjustable tongue has Abeen produced wherein the frame is Vformed tok constitute a rigid lconstruction for ven- 'Furth'ermore, it will benoted gaging a pole while the adjusting slides and adjustable plates may be easily moved and then :held in a set positionto accommodate different sized wagonhounds.

lYVhat I claim is 1. In a device of the class described the combination of a rigid frame, said frame adapted to carry a pole, adjustable plates carried by the side portions of said frame,

adjusting slides secured to said plates, said slides overlapping each other, and a. cog wheel engaging said slides for moving the same in a desired direction whereby said plates may be adjusted, and means engaging said slides for retaining said plates in an adjusted set position.

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a IiXed frame, said frame adapted to carry a pole, adjustable plates slidably mounted upon the side portions of said frame, adjusting slides secured to said plates, said slides engaging and overlapping each other, said slides provided with enlargedv longitudinally extending registering openings, said slides provided with teeth extending' into said openings, a cog wheel rotatably supported by saidframe and engaging the teeth of said adjusting, slides, said cog wheel being adapted to be rotated for moving said slides whereby said adjust able plates may be moved in a desired direction and clamping bolts carried by said frame and passing through said slides for holding said slides in an adjusted set position after said adjustable plates have been moved.

3. In a device 'of the class described the combination of a rigid converging frame, adjustable plates slidably mounted upon the side portionsoi:l said frame, said plates being formed so as to constitute an L-shaped structure in cross-section to lit over the side portions of said frame, said plates provided with integral inwardly extending lugs, said lugs and said plates provided with longitudinally extending slots, retaining bolts carried by said :trame and passing through said slots for assisting in holding said plates in an adjusted set position, adjusting slides secured to said plates and engaging and overlapping each other, gear teeth formed upon said slides, a cog wheel carried by said frame and engaging said gear teeth, means for retaining said cog wheel in engagement with said gear teeth, said cog wheel being adapted to be rotated for moving said slides whereby said adjustable plates may be moved and then held in an adjusted set position.

4L. In a device of the class described the combination with a rigid frame, said frame adapted to carry a pole, adjustable plates slidably mounted upon the side portions of said frame, adjusting slides secured to said plates and extending inwardly so as to en gage and overlap each other, said slides provided with enlarged longitudinally extending openings registering with each other, said slides provided with teeth extending Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the into said openings, a cog Wheel supported by said frame and engaging said teeth, said cog Wheel provided with a rounded portion, a link carried by said frame, said link provided with a. U-shaped pocket, said pocket being adapted to lit over said cog and said slides and engage the rounded portion o" said cog, said cog being adapted to be rotated so as to move said slides whereby said plates may be moved, and said link being adapted to be tightened upon said frame whereby said cog will be held against rotation thereby holding said plates in an adjusted set position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY C. ZIMMER. Witnesses:

ARTHUR L. LIGON, II. It. ANDERSON.

G'ommissioner of latents,

Washington, D. C. 

